Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens

On a spontaneous adventure to the city, my friends and I found ourselves at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens, an oasis among the surrounding hustle of the city. It was established in 1816 and is the oldest botanic garden and scientific institution in Australia.

Situated in the heart of the city, overlooking spectacular views of Sydney’s iconic landmarks, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House the Botanic Gardens as well as the surrounding Domain is home to a huge collection of plants and also some of Sydney’s biggest festivals. The 64 hectares of land has almost 9 000 plant species and well over 4 000 trees!

The gardens are perfect for a variety of interests. The National Herbarium of NSW, a major research centre also provides an information service for identifying plants if you are interested in learning more about the various flora. The library also contains a wide collection of publications concerning botany, horticulture and ecology.

Picnics are great to enjoy, during the sunny winter days, as are strolls through the hundreds of pathways leading to amazing landscapes. Bring along sporting equipment, if you’re keen on getting your blood pumping, as the grassy green fields are perfect for recreational activities.

Photographers, keep your cameras out, as you will constantly be snapping pictures of the greenery, landscapes and views of the harbour. Be sure to visit Mrs Macquarie’s Point for one of the best views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House!

My friends and I were lucky enough to capture some remarkable photos as the sun began to set of our jumping silhouettes against the backdrop of the amazing views of Sydney from the Botanic Gardens.